This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0129 - Reclassifies five associate circuit judges as circuit judges in St. Louis County
COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. NO. 0585-01
BILL NO. SB 129
SUBJECT: Circuit Judges: St. Louis County
TYPE: Original
DATE: February 1, 1999
FISCAL SUMMARY
|
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS | |||
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
| General Revenue | $0 to ($57,908) | $0 to ($69,490) | $0 to ($71,227) |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
$0 to ($57,908) | $0 to ($69,490) | $0 to ($71,227) |
|
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS | |||
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
| None | |||
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
|
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS | |||
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
| Local Government | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses
This fiscal note contains 4 pages.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the Office of State Courts Administrator (CTS) assume the proposed legislation would require that the next five vacancies in associate circuit judgeships occurring in St. Louis County after August 28, 1999, be replaced with circuit judges. CTS reports that there are 13 associate circuit judges in St. Louis County. Vacancies would occur when judges resign, retire, are not retained, or die. Thus, it is difficult to predict when the vacancies will occur. In each case, the state would be responsible for the difference in salaries (currently $87,235 for associates and $98,947 for circuit judges or $11,712). Since judicial salaries are above the social security limit CTS assumes the fringe benefits would be limited to incremental retirement costs and there would be no change in health insurance costs. Additionally, CTS would be responsible for the costs associated with a court reporter for each circuit judge (per Section 485.040) at an annual salary of $44,482 each plus fringe benefits.
Oversight assumes it would be conceivable for a vacancy to occur at anytime. The first scheduled vacancy in associate circuit judgeships to occur after August 28, 1999, would be in FY 2008 (mandatory retirement at age 70); however, unscheduled vacancies could occur at anytime. If all five vacancies occur during this fiscal note period, the annual cost would be $347,450. For purposes of this fiscal note, Oversight has ranged the costs from zero to one vacancy for each fiscal year.
Officials from the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Prosecution Services, and the Office of the State Public Defender assume the proposal would have no fiscal impact on their agencies.
Officials from the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri did not respond to our fiscal note request.
Oversight assumes the proposal could result in a minimal fiscal impact for the 21st Judicial Circuit, as the office space, equipment and operating costs for the court reporters would be local expenses. However, Oversight assumes these costs would be minimal and could be absorbed with existing resources.
| FISCAL IMPACT - State Government | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
| (10 Mo.) | |||
| GENERAL REVENUE FUND | |||
| Costs - State Courts Administrator (CTS) | |||
| $0 to | $0 to | $0 to | |
| Personal Service (0 to 1 FTE) | ($37,068) | ($44,482) | ($45,594) |
| $0 to | $0 to | $0 to | |
| Increased Salary | ($9,760) | ($11,712) | ($12,005) |
| $0 to | $0 to | $0 to | |
| Fringe Benefits | ($11,080) | ($13,296) | ($13,628) |
|
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON |
$0 to | $0 to | $0 to |
| GENERAL REVENUE FUND | ($57,908) | ($69,490) | ($71,227) |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
| (10 Mo.) | |||
| $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business | |||
| No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal. | |||
DESCRIPTION
This proposal provides for the appointment of five additional circuit court judges for the Twenty-First Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County). These judges will replace the first five vacant associate circuit judge positions occurring on or after August 28, 1999.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Office of State Courts Administrator
Office of the Attorney General
Office of Prosecution Services
Office of the State Public Defender
NOT RESPONDING: 21st Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri
Jeanne Jarrett, CPA
Director
February 1, 1999